TITLE XXX
OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS

CHAPTER 331-A
NEW HAMPSHIRE REAL ESTATE PRACTICE ACT

Section 331-A:25-b

    331-A:25-b Seller Agent; Duties. –
I. A licensee engaged by a seller or landlord shall:
(a) Perform the terms of the written brokerage agreement made with the seller or landlord.
(b) Promote the interests of the seller or landlord including:
(1) Seeking a sale, lease, rent, or exchange at the price and terms stated in the brokerage agreement or a price and terms acceptable to the seller or landlord except that the licensee is not obligated to seek additional offers to purchase the real estate while the real estate is subject to a contract of sale unless the brokerage agreement so provides.
(2) Presenting in a timely manner all offers and agreements to and from the seller or landlord, even if the real estate is subject to a contract of sale.
(3) Accounting in a timely manner, during and upon termination, expiration, completion, or performance of the brokerage agreement for all money and property received in which the seller or landlord has or may have an interest.
(4) Informing the seller or landlord that such seller or landlord may be liable for the acts of the principal broker and subagents who are acting on behalf of the seller or landlord when the licensee is acting within the scope of the agency relationship.
(5) Informing the seller or landlord of the laws and rules regarding real estate condition disclosures.
(c) Preserve confidential information received from the seller or landlord that is acquired during a brokerage agreement. This obligation continues beyond the termination, expiration, completion, or performance of the fiduciary relationship. Confidentiality shall be maintained unless:
(1) The seller or landlord to whom the information pertains grants written consent to disclose the information;
(2) The information is made public from a source other than the licensee;
(3) Disclosure is necessary to defend the licensee against an accusation of wrongful conduct in a judicial proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction, the commission, or before a professional committee; or
(4) If otherwise required by law.
(d) Be able to promote alternative real estate not owned by the seller or landlord to prospective buyers or tenants as well as list competing properties for sale or lease without breaching any duty to the seller or landlord.
II. The duties of a licensee acting on behalf of a seller or landlord to a buyer or tenant include:
(a) Treating all prospective buyers or tenants honestly and insuring that all required real estate condition disclosures are complied with.
(b) The ability to provide assistance to the buyer or tenant by performing ministerial acts such as showing property, preparing offers or agreements, and conveying those offers or agreements to the seller or landlord and providing information and assistance concerning professional services not related to the real estate brokerage services. Performing ministerial acts for the buyer or tenant shall not be construed as violating the brokerage agreement with the seller or landlord, provided that agency disclosure has been given in writing to the buyer or tenant. Performing ministerial acts for the buyer or tenant shall not be construed as forming an agency relationship with the buyer or tenant.
(c) Disclosing to a prospective buyer or tenant any material physical, regulatory, mechanical, or on-site environmental condition affecting the subject property of which the licensee has actual knowledge. Such disclosure shall occur at any time prior to the time the buyer or tenant makes a written offer to purchase or lease the subject property. This subparagraph shall not create an affirmative obligation on the part of the licensee to investigate material defects.

Source. 1996, 196:9. 2008, 12:5, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.